Long term unemployment doubles in Ireland

Long term unemployment in Ireland is progressively increasing according to a new report from the Central Statistics Office.

While the total number signing on the Live Register has fallen for two consecutive months, the amount of people drawing long-term unemployment benefits has more than doubled, with more than 140,000 currently signing on.

"Unemployment is the true gauge of economic performance. Today’s figures show that Fianna Fáil have ruined this State and failed its people," Sinn Fein spokesman Arthur Morgan said following the release of the statistics.

"The Government have failed to stimulate the economy or invest in job creation. They have instead fostered the conditions for a prolonged crisis."